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40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, one player is on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-18-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Garrett Cooper
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




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Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by Cubnut on

Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview

SP Brandon Backe
 SP Carlos Zambrano

9-12, 5.42, 122 K, 72 BB, 159.1 IP

13-5, 3.53, 114 K, 61 BB, 168.1 IP
       
CF
 *Michael Bourn LF
 Alfonso Soriano
LF
 Ty Wigginton 2B *Mike Fontenot
SS Miguel Tejada
 1B
Derrek Lee
1B #Lance Berkman
 3B
 Aramis Ramirez
3B
 #Geoff Blum
 RF Mark DeRosa
RF
 Hunter Pence
 CF *Jim Edmonds
2B
 *David Newhan C
 Geovany Soto
C
 Humberto Quintero SS Ryan Theriot
P Brandon Backe
 P #Carlos Zambrano

 

While Cub fans are hoping that the team's bats will come back to life (no EBH's among the club's last 27 hits), the greater concern right now is with Carlos Zambrano.

All Cubdom would like to see that the two extra days of rest Zambrano got when his scheduled Sunday start was pushed back to this evening have proven beneficial to his "fatigued" "dead" tired arm. If nothing else, in the span of those two days, the calendar turned from August to September.

As mentioned here—and everywhere else—previously, in five starts this past month, Zambrano went 1-1, 7.42, allowing opponents to hit .284 with a cumulative 917 OPS. He was 0-4, 7.06 in August of 2007, and in his career, Zambrano has gone 12-16, 4.22 in August starts. His lifetime September numbers are better: 17-10, 3.48 in 32 starts. Of course, all that really matters right now is he does this September.

His opposite number tonight, Brandon Backe, was the victim of that eight-run third inning, not to mention a grand slam by Mark DeRosa and a three-run job by Alfonso Soriano, the last time he pitched at Wrigley, the first week in August.

Backe's team, however, comes into the game having won six games in a row and closed to within two games of the third-place Cardinals. Maybe the Astros' veteran catcher, growing wistful as he nears the end of his career, can distract his mates by infecting them with his wistfulness.

(Brad) Ausmus, like most Major Leaguers, considers the Windy City the best of all road destinations. Playing day games at a historic, festive ballpark such as Wrigley Field and having nights free to enjoy some of the "best restaurants in the world," by Ausmus' estimation, make trips to Chicago a pleasure for all.

"I'll miss Wrigley," Ausmus said. "There's nothing more fun than an 80-degree day in the middle of summer at Wrigley Field...When I'm done playing, I plan on making a trip and watching a couple of games from the bleachers," Ausmus said... "That is something I definitely will do."

Tags
Gameday Open Thread

Comments

Submitted by Hawkeye on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:45 pm

I do not claim to be a stat-head. I am amazed and impressed at the levels of analysis I find on this site. I am very grateful for the expertise. That said, what are the two best averages in the line-up doing in the #8 and #9 holes? That is absurd. That is all for now.

Submitted by blockhead25 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:59 pm

Theriot has been slumping a bit...but I think as evidence yesterday, Lou doesn't like leading off with 4/5 righties. Without any power, nowhere else really for Theriot to go if he isn't going to be in the 2 spot. I'd flip Soto and Edmonds, but that would leave 4 righties in a row in the middle of the order. Who knows. If Z pitches well and Soriano and Lee do what they are capable of, the rest is largely irrelevant.

Submitted by WISCGRAD on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:18 pm

Yeah, Howry looked like he had it back for a few games there, but back to the same old crap now. But we basically have 3 guys in the bullpen we trust, and they can't pitch everyday or from the 5th or 6th inning on.

Submitted by billybucks on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:20 pm

DLee -- you have got to be fucking kidding me. Guy walks 2 in a row to load the bases, including walking Fontenot on 4 pithces, throws ball 1 to DLee, and the DP machine swings at the next pitch -- inning over. If you are going to swing in that situation, it has GOT to be a pitch you can drive in the air. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Submitted by blockhead25 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:12 pm

- absolutely disgusting game. - "#1" starter can't go past 5. - 3 guys on 3rd 1 out...0 sac flies. - 2 guys failing at sac bunts in extras. - 2 on, 0 out top of the order up, can't move a guy over. - Aram making 3 errors in 4 innings. This reminds me of how we felt during the Marlins series last September...Brewers giving the Cubs chances to put it away, and Cubs just playing bad fundamental baseball.

Submitted by mannytrillo on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:19 pm

Len said he still has no word on Z. But anyone understand why Wood was in there for 2 innings and 40 pitches? I understand he has not had much work lately, but why 2 innings? The rosters have expanded, use Lieber or someone less valuable.

Submitted by billybucks on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:23 pm

Wild guess here...Cubs will stumble into the playoffs again, then get swept. Phils and 'Stros are the first decent teams we have played in a while....so far, looks like we'll be 2-4 at home. Not good.

Submitted by big_lowitzki on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:31 pm

Wow... a lot of people are freaked out by a four game losing streak, 3 of which were started by pitchers who won't be starting in the playoffs. Step away from the ledge...

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:57 pm

went down one for the division at least.

Using Bob Howry in a tie game though was the "what the fuck" moment of the game. Good lord.

Derrek Lee hit that ball on the screws, Blum made a nice pick, decent turn and a great scoop by Berkman. Sigh. The strikeout 2 innings later were some nice pitches on the outside corner by the lefty Wright.

Bob Howry though. Please die.

[ ]

Submitted by The Real Neal on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 09:07 am

Welcome to Chicago, Kevin Hart! I would guess we've just seen the last of Howry pitching in meaningful situations for the Chicago Cubs.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 09:50 am

God is that depressing to wake up to. When BL says 'three against starters who won't be starting in the playoffs', who does he mean? Last year we went with a three man rotation and it cost us.

[ ]

Submitted by big_lowitzki on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 09:18 am

When BL says 'three against starters who won't be starting in the playoffs', who does he mean? Who does he mean? Marshall, Marquis, and Lilly will not be starting, at least in the first series and barring any injuries (Z?). Last year we went with a three man rotation and it cost us. Yea... I really wish the Cubs would have started their 4th starter in one of those three games. Going with a three man rotation did not cost the Cubs. LouPa willing to pull Z early MAY have cost the Cubs.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 09:05 am

Huge start for Dempster, in what I think will be a preview of what we can expect him doing in post-season pressure. With the way the other guys have struggled their last starts, if Dempster could through a CG 10K shutout (heh), he'd move in a tie for 2nd in Wins, and move up to 5th in K's, plus he would get a press boost for being the Cubs 'stopper'. That being said, I'll take a 11-10 victory, if it means we get off this losing streak.

Submitted by 10man on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 09:40 am

Look on the bright side: The Cubs have won 7 of their last 11 games. That's a .636 winning percentage!

Submitted by Pell Mell on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 09:10 am

I was pretty discouraged while watching last night, even ranting at Lou for what I perceived to be at least one questionable decision (bunting with DeRosa in the 9th after the ARam walk). I also found myself thinking: if you are the best team in the NL by a good margin and David F. Newhan is running you ragged, it's gut-check time. I realize, though, that the Astros are just doing their play-the-2nd-half-like-it-matters thing (every damn year with these jerks!), and that Tejada in particular seems to have contracted Carlos Lee Syndrome, manifesting itself in clutch RBIs, satanic pirouettes at 2B, and the apparent belief that he must destroy all things Cub all by himself. So -- four losses, two to a very good team, two to a hot/lucky go-nowhere team. Shake it off, have some coffee, and NO MORE DPs THANK YOU.

Submitted by billybucks on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 09:49 am

Agree with the above point -- this will be a good test of them under pressure. Anxious home crowd and media (and TCR posters), bad news all over the pitching staff (Z, Harden, Gaudin), depleted bullpen after the last 2 days, numerous missed opportunities from the 8th inning on against mediocre pitchers last night, Howry still on the roster, etc. OK Demp -- show us it's real.

Submitted by billybucks on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 09:15 am

It's not so much the 4 straight losses -- it's more that it's September, and we have potential health issues with 3 key pitchers (Z, Hardin and Gaudin) -- acually, Z and Harden are more than "key". DP Lee is who he is -- good fielder, decent average, low power hitter who may have the DP thing in his head. (I know it's in mine). 2005 was a fluke year. Maybe Gooz will save us all.

Submitted by Tito on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 09:23 am

On a happier note, I was doing some media stuff at the game yesterday, and I'd just like to report (for you locals): Paula Faris - even hotter in person than on TV and incredibly nice Kerry Sayers - better looking in person, bordering on extremely attractive Megan Mawicke - ibid

Submitted by Dmac on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 09:12 am

"...but I don't recall their #1 pitcher going down in Septemeber with an arm issue." Good point - and I don't think the entire team had any injuries of significance the entire season. As a contrast to this season, where it looks likes Danks has a dead arm as well.

Submitted by MikeC on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 09:26 am

Z is seeing the doctor today anything other than that and who knows. And my god we got posters running around like a chicken with their heads cut off. Recognize this....we are 85-54, 31 games over .500 with a playoff spot almost locked up. We are not like past Cubs teams struggling to be .500ish and hoping the rest of the league plays to our level of crap so we can back into the playoffs. This is a good team. An outstanding team. Don't forget that.

[ ]

Submitted by billybucks on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 09:59 am

After today, Cubs play 16 of last 22 on the road, with ther last 19 against winning teams, including trips to problem areas like Houston, NY and St. Louis, where our history has not been good. Last 7 in NY and MIL. "...almost locked up" Not quite yet. Agree that this is a good team, but one that got fat in August on a heavy home schedule and 15 games against the Pirates, Braves, Reds and Nats. The chickens arent so much worried about the 4-game home losing streak as we are about what lies ahead....

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 09:14 pm

runners on the corners, 1 out in the top of the first already Go mets.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    happ, right hamstring tightness, day-to-day (hopefully 0 days).

    he will be reevaluated tomorrow.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I guess I'm not looking for that type of AB 

    Just a difference of opinion

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I don’t see Tauchman as a weak link in any position. He simply adds his value in a different way.

    I don’t know that we gain much by putting him in the outfield - Happ, Bellinger and Suzuki and Tauchman all field their positions well. If you’re looking for Taucnman’s kind of AB in a particular game I don’t see why it can’t come from DH.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Tauchman gets a pinch hit RBI single with a liner to RF. This is his spot. He's a solid 4th OF. But he isn't a DH. 

    He takes pitches. Useful. I still believe in having good hitters.

    You don't want your DH to be your weak link (other than your C maybe)

  • crunch (view)

    bit of a hot take here, but i'm gonna say it.

    the 2024 marlins don't seem to be good at doing baseballs.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Phil, will the call up for a double header restart that 15 days on assignment for a pitcher? Like will wesneski’s 15 days start yesterday, or if he’s the 27th man, will that mean 15 days from tomorrow?

    I hope that makes sense. It sounds clearer in my head.

  • Charlie (view)

    Tauchman obviously brings value to the roster as a 4th outfielder who can and should play frequently. Him appearing frequently at DH indicated that the team lacks a valuable DH. 

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally onboard with your thoughts concerning today’s lineup. Not sure about your take on Tauchman though.

    The guy typically doesn’t pound the ball out out of the park, and his BA is quite unimpressive. But he brings something unique to the table that the undisciplined batters of the past didn’t. He always provides a quality at bat and he makes the opposing pitcher work because he has a great eye for the zone and protects the plate with two strikes exceptionally well. In addition to making him a base runner more often than it seems through his walks, that kind of at bat wears a pitcher down both mentally and physically so that the other guys who may hit the ball harder are more apt to take advantage of subsequent mistakes and do their damage.

    I can’t remember a time when the Cubs valued this kind of contribution but this year they have a couple of guys doing it, with Happ being the other. It doesn’t make for gaudy stats but it definitely contributes to winning ball games. I do believe that’s why Tauchman has garnered so much playing time.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Miles Mastrobuoni cannot be recalled until he has spent at least ten days on optional assignment, unless he is recalled to replace a position player who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And for a pitcher it's 15 days on optional assignment before he can be recalled, unless he is replacing a pitcher who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, or Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And a pitcher (or a position player, but almost always it's a pitcher) can be recalled as the 27th man for a doubleheader regardless of how many days he has been on optional assignment, but then he must be sent back down again the next day. 

     

    That's why the Cubs had to wait as long as they did to send Jose Cuas down and recall Keegan Thompson. Thompson needed to spend the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he could be recalled (and he spent EXACTLY the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he was recalled). 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Indeed they do TJW!

    For the record I’m not in favor of solely building a team through paying big to free agents. But I’m also of the mind that when you develop really good players, get them signed to extensions that buy out a couple years of free agency, including with team options. And supplement the home grown players with free agent splashes or using excess prospects to trade for stars under team control for a few years. Sort of what Atlanta does, basically. Everyone talks about the dodgers but I feel that Atlanta is the peak organization at the current moment.

    That said, the constant roster churn is very Rays- ish. What they do is incredible, but it’s extremely hard to do which is why they’re the only ones frequently successful that employ that strategy. I definitely do not want to see a large market team like ours follow that model closely. But I don’t think free agent frenzies is always the answer. It’s really only the Dodgers that play in that realm. I could see an argument for the Mets too. The Yankees don’t really operate like that anymore since the elder Steinbrenner passed. Though I would say the reigning champions built a good deal of that team through free agent spending.

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